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(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 1.

' J. G. MEYERS.

4 BURIAL VAULT.

No. 285,914. Patented 00132. 1888,

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(No Model.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 2'. J. G. MEYERS.

BURIAL VAULT.

Patented Oct; 2, 1883.

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(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 3.

J. G.MEYERS.

BURIAL VAULT.

No. 285,914. Patented Oct. 2, 1883;

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BURIAL VAULT.

Patented Oct. 2, 1883.

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J.C +..MEY ERS. BURIAL VAULT.

No. 285,914. Patented Oct. 2. 1883.

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BURIAL-VAULTF SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 285,914, dated October 2, 1883. Application filed January 9, 1883. (No model T0 aZZ ZU/I/OIH/ it may concern/.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN G. Martins. of YVashington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain Improvements in Burial Vaults, of which the following is a spccification.

My invention relates to burial-vaults; and the invention consists in the construction of a building containing a series of vaults for the reception of bodies, said vaults being so constructed and arranged that each shall be provided with a separate duct or passage through which the gases formed by decomposition shall be drawn from the vault and conducted into a furnace arranged to burn said gases, and by which, also, all fluids shall. in like manner be conveyed to the furnace and consumed.

It further consists in supplying to each of said vaults a current of fresh air from the exterior of the building; also, in providing means for warming the halls of said building without having the heat cnterthe vaults, and in certain details of construction of the vaults, and in rendering the bodies secure from the depredations of the so-called body-snatchers or resiu'rectionists, all as hereinafter more fully set forth.

Figure 1 is a plan view of one floor of a buildingconstructed on my plan, showing the arrangement of the vaults and halls or passage-ways. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view, showing the arrangement of the main receiving-ducts leading to the furnace and sewer. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section, showing in elevation the arrangement of the vaults of the lower story and their connection with the ducts leading to the furnace. Fig. 4 is a front elevation of a series of vaults along one of the halls, and showing two of the cross halls with their grated windows. Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 are detailed views showing the construction of the vaults; and Fig. 10 is a longitudinal vertical section of the furnace with its air-warming chamber, and showing its con neetion with duct for drawing off and c0nsuming the gases, and also the connection of said duct with the sewer.

In all ages the disposition of the dead bodies of human beings hasbeen a subject of deep consideration, and various plans have from meate the soil, and, being taken up by the currents of water which pass through the earth,

they are conveyed considerable distances, and

frequently enter wells and springs, the water of which is used by the living, thus producing disease and death. This is especially the case in and around large centers of population, where large tracts of ground in the immediate vicinity are occupied as cemeteries. Another objection to this method of disposing of the dead is thefrequent rifling of the'graves by the so-called body-snatchers. To remedy these objections it has been proposed to burn the bodies of the dead; but to this plan there appears to be a general repugnance in the minds of the mass of people.

The object of my invention is to provide ameans for so depositing the bodies of the dead that they shall be rendered secure against all efforts at body-snatching, and at the same time prevent all the injurious effects upon the health of the living above referred to.

To that end my invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of burial.- vaulfs in a building, and providing means for taking from said vaults both the gaseous and fluid products of decomposition and convey ing the same into afurna ee or apparatus which shall consume and thus destroy the same. This may be accomplished in various ways, so far as the details are concerned; but I will now proceed to describe what I consider one of the simplest and best methods of carrying out my invention, it being of course understood that I do not thereby mean to be understood as limiting myself to this particular plan or method, as it may be varied almost indefinitely without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I propose to erect a building of any desired size and of anynumber of stories in height that may be thought best, either wholly above ground or partially so, as preferred, this building to be built entirely of fire-proof material, preferably of the artificial stone heretofore pat- I oo 1o desired manner.

cnted to me, or partly of that and partly of slate, marble, or other stone, these latter being more especially designed for use in theinternal construction of the vaults. Each story of this 5 building will have one or more central halls,

II, with cross-halls O, as shown in Fig. 1, thus dividing the building into sections, each of which will be occupied by a series of vaults, 0, whichmay be arranged as shown or in any These vaults are to be arranged in tiers one above another, as represented in. Figsx3and 4, so that the entire building, with the exception of the halls or passage ways,will be occupied by the vaults. In this way I secure over twelve hundred vaults in a single story of a building seventy-eight by one hundred feet. and this number is duplicated by each story added to the building.

In the erection of the building I-arrange at or near the base, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a series of receiving-pipes, A, B, and C, which unite and terminatein a single branch, I), which enters a furnace, F, as shown in said figures, Y

said furnace being set in a pit or recess, as indicated in Fig. 3, so as to bring it at the proper height to give a slight descent to this system of pipes, so that any fiuid entering them will flow into the furnace, said pipes being also designed to convey the gases from the vaults 0 to the furnace, where they are to be consumed,

so as to prevent their passing off into the atmosphere or permeating thehalls of the building. As shown in Fig. 10, this terminal branch pipe I) is also connectedwith'the sewer S by a-branch, g, there being a gate or valve, f, of

any suitable style, so arranged as to open or close the connection with the sewer at will. ,WVhen this valve is closed, the contents of the pipes will be conveyed into the furnace, this 40 being designed to convey into the furnace thecomparatively small amount of fluids formed by the decomposition of the bodies, the gases thus formed being in like manner conducted to the furnace, and with the-fluid matter there consumed. In case it be desired to'cleanse or wash out any of the vaults by means of ahose or otherwise, then the valve f is to be opened, and

the waterthat enters the pipes from the vault will pass through the branch 9 into the sewer S. It will of course be understood that the special style of gate or valve to be used is not designed to be shown in the drawings, as there are many forms which may beused, the drawings being designed merely to indicate the existence and location of the gate or valve. In order to more effectuallyconsume the gases, Iprovide'a branch pipe, D, which delivers the gases beneath the grate, thus compelling them to pass up through the mass of burning fuel, there being a valve or gate, 1', by which the pipe D can be closed, and thus compel the and air to pass under the grate.

I will here remark that I do not confine myself to any particular-style of furnace, as there are many different kinds which may be'used. In order to create a draft from the vaults downward through the pipes, so as to draw the gases from the vaults into the furnace, provision should be made for closing the same at all other points after the fire has been started, and thus create a draft through the pipes into the furnace; and as provision is made, as here inafter explained, for the admission of fresh air from the outside of the building into the vault-s, it will be seen that the requisite supply of oxygen to keep up combustion in the furnace will be thus secured.

In order to prevent the smoke and products of combustion from entering the pipe D 'and passing from thence back into the vaults, a damper or valve, '13, will be arranged at any suitable point in the pipe I), as indicated in Fig. 10, and which is to be kept-closed until the fire is fairly started and the current or draft up the smoke-fiue c is well established, when, byopening the valve t and closing the other draft of the furnace, at current will beinduced through the pipe 1). p

In case it be found necessary or desirable, I propose, also, to use'an exhaust-fan or similar apparatus, operated by an engine or other motor, to create a positive current through the vaults and thence into the fire, though, if all the parts be properly arranged and adjusted, and the size or capacity of the various pipes and ducts be properly proportioned, it is thought a sufficient current can be induced by the draft of the furnace to secure the desired result, as all that is necessary is a sufficient draft or current of air through each vault to take up and carry along the gradually-forming gases therein.

I11 case a fan or other apparatus be used, it may be arranged to exhaust through pipe I) {and deliver into the furnace; or it may be arranged so as to drive or force a current of air into and through each vault, and from thence through the pipes into the furnace, either or all of these plans being included within the scope of my invention.

, To warm the halls of the building so as to render them comfortable for the holding of burial services therein, or for persons visiting the same, I utilize the heat of the furnace by surrounding it with a j acket'or wall, and convey the air from thence, through proper fines and registers, into the halls above, as indicated by the pipe or flue 7), Figs. 2, 3, and 10; or, if preferred, they may be warmed by steam, or in any other suitable manner; but inasmuch as the gas-consuming furnace is to be used, I consider it cheaper, and therefore preferable. It will of course be understood that when once the building is occupied for the purpose intended the fire will be kept up continually day and night, so there shall never be any escape of foul gases into the atmosphere; but they shall be consumed as well as of illustrating my invention, 'a single furnace with all the vaults connected therewith, it is of course obvious that more and smaller furnaces may be used, and a portion only of the vaults be connected with each, very much depending on the size of the building and the number of vaults.

In constructing the vaults I make them as represented in Figs. 7, 8, and 9, Fig. 7 being a vertical section on the line g 1 of Fig. 8, which is a transverse section, showing a plan View of the bottom, and Fi 9 being a front elevation with the door or sealing-slab removed.

These vaults are to be made of stone, either natural or artificial, or of earthenware, and are to be gastight, with the exception of an inlet, e, for the admission of air from the exterior of the building, and. an outlet or pipe, 1, arranged to connectwith the main pipes A, B, (l, and D, hereinbefore described.

In order to secure a perfect drainage from each vault, the bottom, which should. be made of a single piece of slate, marble, or tile, or, if preferred, of glazed earthenware, is provided with a series of longitudinal grooves, 71, which commence at the surface, near the mouth of the vault, and gradually deepen they extend toward the rear end, where they unite in a cross-groove, Z, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, this groove 1 entering a vertical. pipe, I, embedded or built in the wall, and, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 5, extending down. to and connecting with the main pipes A and B; or, if preferred, the grooves 71. maybe dispensed with by having the bottom inclined from front to rear,with small grooves or channels at the rear end, to conduct theliquid matter or the vater, when used, to the ex'itpipc l. The months of the vaults are to be constructed with beveled jambs, as shown in Figs. Z,- 8, and 9, for convenience in inserting and removin the door or cl osinab, which, when inserted, is to be cemented or otherwise secured, so as to be air-tight.

As there are to be several tiers of these vaults, one above another, the outlet-pipes t will. be arranged in different positions for each separate tier, as indicated in Figs. 5 and 6, and also in Fig. 8;

To admit air to each vault, a supply-pipe, B, Fig. 5, extends from the outside of the building through the wall, and is connected by a smaller branch pipe, (.2, with each separate vault,these air or inlet pipes entering the vaults near the front, as shown in Figs. 5, 6, 7, and

8th0se for the upper tier entering nearest the front, those for the second tier a little farther back, and so on successively, they being thus arranged simply to afford room for all the pipes, and so they shall not interfere with each other. By this arrangement it will be seen that a current of fresh air will enter each vault separately at or near the front end, and as it is drawn backward to the exit-pipe t by the draft through the main pipes, it will take up and carry with it all the gases within the vault, which will thus be conveyed to the tur nace and be there consumed. In this way not only will the injurious gases be disposed of and kept from mingling with the atmosphere t0 contaminate it, but the halls of the building will be kept free from foul odors and poisonous gases by the constant ventilation caused by the incoming current of fresh warm air from the chamber surrounding the furnace, and which escapes through suitable registers or ventilating-ducts, as usual in furnaceheated buildings.

The building is to be provided with win dows at the extremities of the halls, or with doors having glass therein to admit light, and all these openings, whether doors or windows, are to be provided with strong metal bars or guards, as indicated in Fig. 4. Besides, such a building will always have in attendance one or more watchmen or other persons having charge of the same, and thus they will be rendered secure against the efforts of body-snatchcrs and all unauthorized parties. There will be various modifications of the details which will be suggested by experience; but I think the foregoing description, with. the accompanying drawings, will enable any one skilled in such matters to readily apply and carry out my invention.

The advantages or benefits of my invention are numerous and important. It will save the purchase and occupancy of large tracts of land for cemeteries. It will obviate all the injurious effects upon the health of the living, now attendant upon. the use of the ordinary burial grounds. Itaccomplishes all the bene licial effects of cremation or incineration, and at the same time avoids the repugnant or ob jectionable features of that process. It will enable a burial-lurilding to be erected, if desired, in the very heart of a village or city without injury to the health of the living. It avoids the disagreeable operation of placing the bodies of friends i 11 the damp, chilly ground, oftentimes in storms of snow or rain, and in stead enables them to be placed in a secure and comfortable building; and, finally, it puts an end to the practice of grave-robbing, and is more economical, as it requires a less investment than the present method.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim is- 1. The combination of a series of burialvaults, a series of pipes or ducts arranged to operate substantially as described, and a furnace for consuming the gases and fluids passing from said vaults, either or both, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A burial-building provided with a series of vaults, each of said vaults having an airinlet and an outlet pipe or duct connecting said vaults with a furnace, substantially as described.

3. The combination, in a building, of a series of burial-vaults, a series of pipes or ducts arranged to connect said vaults with a furnace arranged to consume the gaseous or liquid IIO matter passing through said pipes or ducts, and a hot-air chamber with suitable duets for said vault into an outlet-pipe, 15, substantially warming and ventilating the halls or rooms of as described.

said building, all arranged to operate substan- J. G. MEYERS. 5 tially as and for the purpose set forth. Vitnesses:

4. A burial-vault having its floor provided H. A; HALL, with the inclined grooves h l, or equivalent J. F. DUHAMEI.

means, for Conducting any fluid matter from 

